Mchakkal Helo
Mchakkal Helo is a community initiatives network that is designed to foster linkages between different stakeholders, to support and address the needs of individuals, groups and communities seeking to achieve self-sustainability through alternative approaches.
Within the theme of environmental and sustainable development and practices, Mchakkal Helo’s network comprises so far, 26 initiatives and grassroots entities from diverse backgrounds such as: agriculture, permaculture, sustainable living, art, reforestation, nature preservation and more.
Regular meetings and workshops will be conducted to identify the entities’ gaps and strengths, address challenges, and map out potential areas of collaboration. ESDU will also be linking the entities of the network to its ongoing projects.
Aim Of The Project
Mchakal Helou offers a platform for networking and coordinating activities of joint or complimentary interests. Ideally, this project will put together niches of experts in the fields
that promote community resilience and empowerment of decentralized governments.
Mchakal Helou is itself complemented by Ardi Ardak which offers food security related knowledge, resources, and marketing by answering the needs of producers and consumers in both urban and rural settings. We can imagine a similar scenario where to answer a need for alternative waste management, a niche of experts will offer knowledge and resources to the one in need, and make use of this opportunity to market services provided that answer to that need ie
glass blowing from re-used glass.
Mchakal Helou promotes a list of topics that feed into community resilience and empowerment of decentralized governments- Food security: gardening, food processing
- Renewable energy
- Water collection and re-use
- Waste management
- Transport and mobility
- Circular economies in rural communities
Activities
- Search and reach out to experts, as well as individuals, groups or communities asking for support. This is done using social media platforms, word of mouth and will be based on a snowball- like effect.
1. Experts: to identify their points of interest and of expertise.
2. Individuals, groups or communities asking for support: to register their needs in knowledge and resources and be able to identify the relevant expert that can answer their need. - Organize and host focused discussions. The focused discussions will be held once every two weeks, or according to needs.
- Record, communicate and follow up with activities that participants come up with informally or during discussion events.
Expected Results
- List of contacts that puts together the network of experts, categorized in the topics mentioned above.
- Activities that are planned, coordinated, managed and applied by a network of experts. Each activity has a clear and visible processes and outputs.
- Records of the line of action and processes for activities conducted. The operational human, material and financial resources are recorded to make replication easier.
- Documentation of meetings and activities conducted and sharing through a facebook page. Documentation through photos and videos will help promote the initiative and allow for those willing to reach out to Mchakal Helou through facebook.
- Experts know each other and are familiar with each other’s line of expertise.
- Individuals, groups and communities got support needed in learning and equipment for
alternative sustainability tools, and are able to take charge of the output of the activity
they asked for.